Spring has sprung

Whether or not you like the cold weather we’ve been experiencing lately, you have to admit that spring is right around the corner. The days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger. Soon, people will be working around their properties, cleaning up from the ravages of winter, and preparing for the activities of summer.
     Downtown Presque Isle is no exception. As was mentioned in a recent article, “A Call to Arms,” the PIDRC (Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee) has many wonderful things in the works for the upcoming year. One of those things is to help facilitate a downtown clean-up program for this spring. We will be working with the City of Presque Isle and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as other local groups, to make a fun project of sprucing up the Main Street this year.
We have begun to plan a friendly “competition” to encourage the building and business owners on Main Street to clean and decorate their areas. This might involve making sure their windows are washed and decorated attractively. It might mean a simple coat of paint or just a wash to the front of the facade. It seems to be a belief of some people that if they fix up the front of their buildings, their property taxes will increase. That’s not true. Taxes would increase only if major renovations are made to the facade or if the insides of the building are renovated. In fact, the logic of fixing up building fronts would dictate that the more attractive the facade, the more customers/clients would be attracted, thus creating more business and greater income.
Oh, yes. A competition was mentioned. There will be a prize for the winner(s), but we are not at liberty to disclose what that prize will be until a later date. Just know it’s a good one.
We fully intend to put the flower barrels out again this year, and the city will be putting out the benches and the trash containers. We have debated whether to put the flower boxes back on the bridges again, as those are difficult locations to keep the plants watered and healthy. If you have any other ideas regarding how we could decorate the bridges in practical, welcoming ways, please let us know. We appreciate your input.
If you have any ideas on ways we can spruce up our Main Street, encourage building owners and merchants to clean and decorate their locations, or involve more businesses and community members, please contact us through the information listed below.
As has been mentioned previously, we need your help. This community belongs to all of us. By working together, not only do we make our beloved Presque Isle shine more brightly, but we develop a stronger sense of community. We need more volunteers to help us accomplish our goals, your goals, the community’s goals. Please join us as we work to help our Star City shine.
You can get more information or sign up to join us by calling Sandy Gauvin (764-0876), Cathy Beaulieu at Wilder’s Jewelry Store (764-0309) or Patty LeBlanc (769-7731). We look forward to hearing from you! You can write us at: PIDRC, 411 Main St., Presque Isle, Maine 04769, or you can e-mail us at pidrc@yahoo.com.
The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee is an ad hoc committee of the Presque Isle City Council.